From: owner-scribes@castle.org (scribes digest) To: scribes-digest@castle.org Subject: scribes digest V4 #47 Reply-To: Sender: owner-scribes@castle.org Errors-To: owner-scribes@castle.org Precedence: bulk scribes digest Friday, November 3 2000 Volume 04 : Number 047 ======================================================================== To unsubscribe from this list, send email to with unsubscribe scribes-digets in the body of the message. Leave the subject line blank. Do not include any additional text. [scribes]: using dip pens Re: [scribes]: wanted: dip pen use tips Re: [scribes]: wanted: dip pen use tips ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 03 Nov 2000 10:18:22 -0600 From: Cindy Baker Subject: [scribes]: using dip pens In reply to Holly Grimmet's request for tips on using dip pens: Brand new metal nibs often have a protective coating (to prevent rust). The coating keeps the ink from flowing smoothly through the nib. Run the nib briefly through a candle flame to burn off the coating. (It is not necessary to get the nib hot, it only takes a few seconds to burn off.) Wipe the soot off with a paper towel or cloth & the nib is ready to go. It is not generally recommended to dip the nib into the ink. The excess ink on the wrong side of the nib tends to cause blots. You can fill the nib with a dropper or use a paint brush to drop a bit of ink into the reservoir. Do you work on a slanted surface with your cartridge pens? Cartridge pens have a more controlled ink flow, so they handle a flat, horizontal working surface more easily than dip pens. I highly recommend you work at a slant when using dip nibs. Either at a drafting table or on a drawing board propped on books or tilted against the edge of your table. (It doesn't have to be a steep slant, just enough to keep gravity from pulling the ink off the nib too quickly.) Look closely at the tips of your dip nibs compared to the tips of your cartridge pens. Sometimes the slant is different between one pen company and another. (Some pens are cut completely straight across, others are slanted for right or left hand use.) If the slant is different, it may take a bit of getting used to. You'll have to play around with holding your pen so the tip touches the paper evenly. I'm not sure how you're used to working with your cartridge pens, but dip nibs are usually held more vertical to the writing surface than regular pens. This makes the strokes easier to control and allows you to 'twist' the nib as you're writing where necessary. Also check the dip nibs for any slight burs or irregularities at the tip. Sometimes manufacturers are not careful enough in the finishing. (Brause is usually pretty good, though.) Any roughness can be removed by gently sanding with 'crocus' cloth. It is an extremely fine sanding paper - one or two passes across the crocus cloth should be plenty. Be careful not to sand too much though. If your tip actually gets sharp, it will dig into the paper and pick up little fibers & smudge your work. That's all I can think of at the moment. I use dip nibs almost exclusively these days, so I'm not sure I remember all the little differences you may be used to when using cartridge pens. Wait until you try switching to quills or reed pens! I'm just starting to play around with those & they are very different too! Good luck! Ellen of the Scholars Middle Kingdom =================================================================== To unsubscribe from this list, send email to with a blank Subject: line and unsubscribe scribes in the body of the message. Do not include any additional text in the body. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2000 11:32:10 -0600 From: "Corinna Taylor/Al Frank" Subject: Re: [scribes]: wanted: dip pen use tips Fill with a brush or dropper. Don't use fountain pen ink or waterproof india ink. Sumi, Calli, or diluted gouache work well. The smaller the nib, the thinner the writing fluid should be. Don't let ink/paint dry in the nib. Practice, practice, practice. Corinna TreeGirtSea - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Holly Grimmett" To: "scribes@castle. org" Sent: Friday, November 03, 2000 8:43 AM Subject: [scribes]: wanted: dip pen use tips > OK, I've found where I put the Brause dip pens I bought some time ago. :-) > I've only used my cartridge pens until now. While I like my cartridge pens > immensely, I'd like to learn how to use a dip pen properly. Anyone got any > helpful tips for a callig newbie on using these things? I don't think I've > touched a dip pen since Speedball in the third grade (mumble) years ago. > For doing calligraphy, not so much illumination, it is better to actually > dip the pens & wipe the nib on the edge? What about using a dropper to fill > them? I've been reading over the ink suggestions, I think I've got that > covered. And of course, I know to practice. LOTS of practice. :-) > > Cleaning them I know how to do, it's the nuances of using them that I'm > after.. Thanks for any help y'all can provide. :-) > > > :-)---Holly---<--<-@ > h_grimmett@yahoo.com > > > > =================================================================== > To unsubscribe from this list, send email to > with a blank Subject: line and > unsubscribe scribes > in the body of the message. Do not include any additional text in > the body. > =================================================================== To unsubscribe from this list, send email to with a blank Subject: line and unsubscribe scribes in the body of the message. Do not include any additional text in the body. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2000 10:49:16 -0800 From: Carolyn_Richardson@cch.com Subject: Re: [scribes]: wanted: dip pen use tips >>Don't use fountain pen ink or waterproof india ink<< Why not? I use waterproof india ink in my dip pens all the time and have for 20 years without any problems. You just need to clean the nibs thoroughly. Tetchubah =================================================================== To unsubscribe from this list, send email to with a blank Subject: line and unsubscribe scribes in the body of the message. Do not include any additional text in the body. ------------------------------ End of scribes digest V4 #47 ****************************